Submitted by Dr. Brian Kingrey, Spanish Teacher
This school year brings an exciting change to the Melcher-Dallas High School Spanish program. For several years, Spanish III and Spanish IV have been combined into one course due to enrollment and scheduling considerations. This year, increased enrollment and students working at different levels made it possible—and necessary—to offer Spanish III and Spanish IV as separate classes.
Spanish I, II, III, and IV are all being offered this year, with 35 students enrolled across the four levels. Spanish I and II focus heavily on building vocabulary and developing grammar skills. Spanish III continues to strengthen students’ understanding and use of grammar, while Spanish IV applies the skills students have developed throughout their previous three years through projects, readings, writing, and cultural exploration.
As September came to a close, students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by researching well-known individuals of Hispanic heritage from around the world. Students explored their subjects’ areas of study, contributions to society, and notable awards and accomplishments. They then showcased their learning through creative projects, including pennants, flags, and “people” displays.
Students in the other Spanish classes used student-researched materials of influential Hispanic figures, to learn more about their cultures, customs, traditions, and backgrounds. Through their research, students discovered individuals from across the 21 Spanish-speaking countries and the United States who have made meaningful contributions in a wide variety of fields - science, activism, judicial system, the arts, and much more.
Although Hispanic Heritage Month has come to an end, the learning continues. Students have listened to music, watched video clips, explored fashion designs, and continued discovering how the lives and accomplishments of these individuals connect to the broader Spanish-speaking world.
It has been an exciting month of researching, creating, discovering, and celebrating Hispanic heritage in our Spanish classroom!
